Ukraine will return to buying gas from Russia in 2018, CEO of Naftogaz said.

Ukraine will return to buying gas from Russia in 2018, CEO of Naftogaz Andrey Kobolev said on January 17, 2018.

«From this year we are obliged to take a minimum volume (from Russia's Gazprom),» Andrey Kobolev said at a press conference, adding that Ukraine would continue buying gas from Europe also.

«We plan to import gas from 2 directions. The price which Gazprom is now obliged to set is very attractive. We should take advantage of this economic benefit,» Kobolev said.

«From 2018 we will have to import the minimum volumes... We, at Naftogaz, do not consider this to be a negative aspect. Gazprom's obligations to sell us 5 billion cubic meters at a price below the European one is a positive aspect from the point of view of both Naftogaz and the consumer,» Kobolev added.